The past few months were busy as no other. We have been contacting
potential partners for distribution in surrounding countries. We also
did a very intense market inquiry in Germany and spent a lot of time on
getting people to know Skav.
Besides this we took a good look in the mirror and asked ourselves how
we could further improve the service to our distributors and their
customers. As a result many good things happened and therefore we are
ready to get 2010 started!

Skav on film

Maarten Bakker and Henk van Velthoven have taken charge of the marketing per September 2009. As a result many new things are initiated: the most eye catching event is an appearance in the TV show (pilot) “Bij ons in de BV” from Jort Kelder. Not only did Henk have a one minute pitch on the website but also a promotion film has been recorded that will be played on the website of the show.  The film can also be viewed on our website and will be made available for all Skav dealers. To watch the one minute film, click on the picture below.

Skav web shop

Another feature we added is the Skav Web shop. Here you can view the collection and immediately purchase the model you like. You can choose to pick up the watch at your local jeweler store or receive the watch straight from Skav. For payment you can use Ideal or a credit card. To create more brand awareness for Skav and to be able to present the watch straight to the consumer this web shop is the ideal tool. To make sure we get in contact with our customer, a wide spread SMS promotion starts today. On billboards, narrowcasting screens and on the outside of vending machines, a poster or projection of Skav is shown. Click on the picture to see more.

Send an SMS and have a chance to win a Skav watch!  Every contestant receives a discount code for our web shop. Thus we promote the brand, the web shop and give our customer the possibility to view the collection whenever they want. We also have sent out a press-release in November concerning our Web-shop: We have a quite unique proposal for retailers: We give a bonus for every watch sold in our Web-shop. You can click here for details.

Store locator

One of the other changes is a new look and feel for our website. Definitely the  most  eye catching is our store locator. Naturally it will point you to our nearest Skav dealers but will also tell you how far away the next possible options is.

Just punch in your city and the available Skav dealers are shown on a map. Check it out  on www.skav.com and choose “store locator”.

Last month was a busy month.

I visited some customers in Germany, and potential distributors in France and the UK.

Something very strange is going on in France and the UK.

Many distributors are reluctant to take on Scandinavian designed watches. They tell me that their customers are not into this type of design or that they are not ready for it. On the other hand, companies that have experience with Scandinavian design, and lose a brand, don€™t know how quick they have to fill the gap with€¦..Scandinavian design! You would think that they don€™t want to if there are no customers for this product.

But it gets even stranger!! Other companies know at first glance that Skav is a brand with huge potential. Studying our product makes them even more convinced and that€™s the attitude of a winner! Somebody who already has the customer in mind when he is looking at Skav for the first time.

How can these two companies co-exist?

I think I have to stop to try to understand and just enjoy the growing interest for our young brand. I guess some companies simply adjust quicker to the ever changing market conditions than others. I honestly feel that for those companies the €œdifficult market situation€ offers nothing but opportunity.

Skav is definitely part of that opportunity and therefore confident for the future.

Besides our distribution network there are other things happening too. We as a team are very busy to make new exiting designs. For new designs you cannot ask enough info from your customers so please let us know what you think. Go a little down to the pictures with watches or go to http://blog.skav.com/?p=28

Also we would like to know what type of watch you would buy next. Is it a traditional, fashionable or design watch? Please answer our poll at http://polls.linkedin.com/p/40667/fvhex

Frans

Horsten

Director of Skav watches.

Each year, the world’s biggest and most important event for the watch and jewellery industry is held in Basel, Switzerland. Companies from all over the world showcase their latest developments and innovations at the fair.

March 26 was the first day of Basel world 2009, as the Skav team travelled down to Switzerland to visit for 4 days. It was a very positive experience for Skav. They talked to numerous successful distributors from various countries and enjoyed the sophisticated ambiance of the event. Skav is working towards exhibiting on the next Basel world in 2010.

One of the reasons for visiting the Basel fair was discussing new models with our suppliers. We have some great ideas and would like your input.  Please comment on the models below.   

The model on the left could be produced in both leather and mesh bands.  The model on the right could be available with integrated leather strap. Typical about this design would be the date. Contrary to the traditional design, there could be 3 days visible.  The date will be easier to read this way. The models will be fitted with Sapphire crystal and be 3 ATM water resistant.

On March 2^nd 2009 Skav Watches was launched on the Dutch market. This happened during the Trade Event €œJewels and Watches€ in the Beatrix building in Utrecht. Skav is a new watch brand, developed in Amsterdam. The watches combine subtle Scandinavian design with robust Dutch quality. The entire collection of 80 models is fitted with sapphire crystal. Sales prices start at ‚¬159.

Design
Skav represents the now. The watches combine the subtle Scandinavian design with robust Dutch quality. Professional, sporty or casual. The watch forms a unity with the wrist of the self-confident modern man and woman and suit the individual and proud Skav owner. Timeless, elegant and headstrong models with a professional character. Constantly focussed on the essence; It€™s about time.

Quality

Skav is the only brand in its price range that has the entire collection fitted with the hardest watch glass available; sapphire crystal. Only diamond is harder. The combination of the precision movement, the integrated leather watch strap, Ionised Plating (IP) and water-resistance make it a watch of high quality. All made of stainless steel, of course. Unique in its class and exclusive top quality according to the latest technology.

Four men with a mission
Skav stands for knowledge, expertise, and experience and in particular a perception of what a watch should be. Frans Horsten and Henk van Velthoven have been involved in the watch business for more than twenty years.  Jorgen Boukens and Maarten Bakker develop ideas into products. With Skav they realise their shared dream of launching their own modern watch brand. It is a balanced team with a passion.

Skav is also available in Belgium, Germany and Austria. Other countries will follow soon.

You can find this press release and high res. and low res. illustrations on this link:

http://www.skav.com/contact/introduction-in-holland/

For more information you can contact:

Frans Horsten, Co-Founder Skav watches: +31 (0) 20-222 33 19 or +31(0)6-54 22 48 83

Maarten Bakker, Co-Founder Skav watches +31 (0)6-23 22 76 34

Email: f.horsten@skav.com

Website: www.skav.com

                              Presentation of Co-founder Frans Horsten during "Jewels & Watches" trade mart